About the Award
Since 2006, the League of Women Voters of Woodland has presented the annual Democracy Works award to an individual and/or organization working to empower voters and defend democracy. The League seeks nominees from throughout Yolo County whose actions support our citizens and our democratic processes. These actions may include encouraging equal representation, promoting free and fair elections, expanding voter education and rights, advocating legislation that promotes democracy and our communities, or taking grassroots political action.
To nominate someone for this honor, please send a completed nomination form with a one-page summary, typed or neatly handwritten, identifying why you think a specific person or organization in Yolo County exemplifies democracy in action. Please submit your nominations by August 31, 2023.
Democracy Works Award Nomination Form
Email the completed form to woodlandleaguenews [at] gmail.com () OR
Print and send by mail to LWV Woodland, P.O. Box 2463, Woodland CA 95776.
Award Recipients
2022: TESSA SMITH for her work as Chair of the Multi-Cultural Community Council, a diverse group of Yolo County residents who serve in an advisory capacity to the Yolo County District Attorney. “The mission of the MCCC is to seek fair and equal justice, facilitate understanding, ensure open communication, and promote community participation, education, and diversity within the criminal justice system.” Multi-Cultural Community Council | Yolo County District Attorney (yoloda.org). Ms. Smith works as Dignity, Equality & Inclusivity Coordinator for Yolo County Health & Human Services and is also involved in numerous other community groups including the Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Resilient Yolo, a group of trainers and providers who work to build resilience in children and families. Woodland’s League of Women Voters announce the Democracy Works Award recipient for 2022 – Daily Democrat.
2020 & 2021: No Awardees selected and event postponed due to COVID-19.
2019: GRETA GALINDO AND CHARLOTTE BEAL
Greta Galindo is Library Services Director, providing oversite to the Literacy Programs as well as an array of library programs, activities, and services. She has been instrumental in fostering existing and developing new, cutting edge services. Galindo states. “The Library staff and I believe that the public library must serve all of our community with excellent programming and services.”
Charlotte Beal has been promoter, defender, instructor and advocate for the GED & Diploma Program for Incarcerated Youth & Adults available through and in Yolo County’s Correctional System. This exceptional bi-lingual program provides the learning tools, skills and instruction for incarcerated individuals who wish to obtain a GED or high school diploma. Woodland Library’s Literacy Council is part of the program’s financial support system as is the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department which has, for years, provided support for the GED & Diploma Program, one of its most successful.
KATHY TROTT, Recognized for her work as a local community activist and volunteer, advocating for housing for people who are unhoused. She is past president of the Yolo County Hunger Coalition and has been coordinator of the Children’s Theater Program for 23 years.
https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2019/10/25/democracy-works-awards-go-to-those-who-support-community/
2018: YOUTH ORGANIZERS FOR Y.E.S. Students who worked with the Yolo County Elections Office to plan the first Youth Empowerment Summit, an event developed to introduce high school students in Yolo County to local elected officials and increase their understanding of local and state government and how it impacts their lives, and encourage civic engagement and leadership. ‘Democracy Works’ awards presented by Woodland LWV – Daily Democrat
YOLO NEIGHBORHOOD COURT: A program of the Yolo County District Attorney. The mission of the neighborhood court is to seek justice and do justice by pursuing alternative solutions to criminal offenses that cause harm to the local community through resolutions that are individualized, educational, and restorative to the victim, community, and participant.
Yolo County was the second county in California to implement a program built on the principles of restorative justice (after San Francisco). Read more about restorative justice in Yolo County here.
2016: WAVE TV Channel 21 for its commitment to keeping the Woodland community informed by videotaping and airing numerous public meetings and League candidate forums. The channel airs local content provided by community groups or individuals. It films local government meetings including Woodland City Council, Yolo County Board of Supervisors, Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees and public events of local interest. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2016/11/04/democracy-works-recognition-for-residents/
NOTE: Wave TV is now Woodland TV http://woodlandtv.org/
2015: PAT MURRAY for her decades of making democracy and community work in Woodland and Yolo County. Pat served on the Woodland Planning Commission for 15 years, and as co-president of the League of Women Voters of Woodland for 4 terms. She is a 20 year board member, leader and active participant of the Woodland Library Rose Club, and has almost 3 decades of volunteer service at the UCD Arboretum to her credit. She has served on the Woodland Tree Foundation board since its inception, and served as a board member of the Yolo Wayfarer Center (aka Fourth & Hope).
2014: JENNY LILLGE for starting a Change.org petition called "Choose 4000" to involve Woodlanders in the discussion of growth in Woodland during the early stages of the General Plan update in 2014. The number 4000 refers to the growth figure recommended by the independent consultants hired by the City. The "Choose 4000" petition received nearly 600 signatures and comments of support in a few short weeks. As a result, the City Council voted to include a second scenario for 4,000 units as originally recommended (the 9,000 unit proposal is still being studied). Woodlander Jenny Lillge honored with Democracy Works Award – Daily Democrat
2013: MARCO LIZZARAGA for his many years of work for fair and free elections and serving on re-districting committees for the county, city and schools; The Woodland Tree Foundation for their urban tree planting and education efforts;
BJ FORD for her long time and outstanding work as a community activist and charter member of the Woodland LWV. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2013/10/26/woodland-league-of-women-voters...
2012: SYLVINA FRAUSTO for her past and ongoing effort to better the lives of all families in Woodland but especially Latino families. This work included creating “citizenship classes” to teach community members about the election process, how to interview candidates, and how propositions are created.
WOODLAND CITY COUNCIL Current and former Woodland City Council members (Bill Marble, former Councilwoman Martie Dote, Mayor Skip Davies, former Councilman and Mayor Art Pimentel, and Tom Stallard) were also honored for their ongoing effort to begin to bring a reliable and clean water supply to Woodland with the formation of the Woodland Davis Clean Water Agency. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2012/10/28/woodland-league-of-women-voters-honors-those-who-make-democracy-work/
2011: LESLIE MARCUS for her lifetime of activism on various issues in Woodland, including affordable housing.
The DAILY DEMOCRAT for offering a forum for debate that only a newspaper can do, and being an important element in local democracy in Woodland. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2011/11/04/leslie-marcus-earns-democracy-works-award/
2010: Veterans Project: Erica Chung & Mike Owens, Woodland High School teachers, and Al Castillo, American Legion Post 77 Commander, for their joint effort in connecting high school students with veterans to hear their stories. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2010/11/05/democracy-works-awards-presented/
2009: Jim Durst and Fritz Durst, partners in the Durst Organic Farms for their commitment to sustainable farming practices and their generosity in feeding the hungry of Yolo County. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2009/11/01/woodland-league-of-women-voters-honors-farming-cousins/
2008: Audrey Doehne for dedication to peace and foreign policy education. For the past 7 years, under her leadership, a group of citizens have made it their responsibility and duty to attend a midday peace vigil in front of the Yolo County Courthouse every 4th Saturday of each month.
2007: Michael V. Brady for his proactive and positive approach as chairperson of the City of Woodland's "Green Waste Citizen Advisory Committee. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2007/11/04/woodlander-honored-by-lwv/
2006: Woodlanders for Responsible Government for their work in promoting the spirit of democracy by taking positive action to promote the democratic process for citizens of Woodland. https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2006/10/20/lwv-series-begins-with-counting-every-vote/
